2026 NFL offseason preview: What will new era of Pittsburgh Steelers look like without Mike Tomlin?
The NFL offseason has begun, and Yahoo Sports is previewing the coming months for all 32 teams, from free agency through the draft and more.
AFC East: Bills | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
NFC East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commanders
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks
2025 season record: 10-7 (o 8.5 wins), first in AFC North, lost to Texans in AFC wild card, 12th in DVOA
OverviewPittsburgh went from “fire Tomlin” chants inside their own stadium during the season to a thrilling AFC North title win — and then back to them in the playoffs. It was an up-and-down year for Pittsburgh that still resulted in a record over .500 and a division title. This was also a team built for just that. Pittsburgh was one of the oldest teams in the league on both sides of the ball by snap-weighted age.
Signing Aaron Rodgers was a swing that brought some offensive competence, but the Pittsburgh offense still often looked like it was battling itself as it ranked 20th in success rate and turned into what a late-career Rodgers offense has looked like since his final season in Green Bay — quick passes to the flat and go balls.
By the end of the season, the defense was a top-10 unit by weighted DVOA. That was a big turnaround from the start of the season, when opponents had called out the defense for its simplicity.
Most of this roster will return for 2026. Tomlin will not as he announced his parting of ways with the franchise less than 24 hours after the wild-card loss to the Texans. So it’ll be a new era for the Steelers, one that leans toward not featuring Rodgers again.
Cap/cuts outlookPittsburgh has just under $24 million in effective salary cap space, which ranks 13th in the NFL per Over The Cap. The biggest savings for the Steelers would be by moving on from linebacker Patrick Queen, which would open up $13 million in cap space, but an extension could be just as likely. The Steelers could also use some of their cap space for extensions to younger players — cornerback Joey Porter Jr. and linebacker Nick Herbig are both going into the final year of their rookie contracts. Pittsburgh also adjusted Jalen Ramsey’s contract when he was acquired via trade, and no guaranteed money remains after 2025. That could be something revisited this offseason.
Key pending free agentsQB Aaron Rodgers
RB Kenneth Gainwell
OL Isaac Seumalo
S Kyle Dugger
CB James Pierre
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Rodgers obviously stands out after signing a one-year deal with Pittsburgh last offseason. His overall NFL future remains unknown, let alone his Steelers one, especially without Mike Tomlin leading the team. In Pittsburgh, Rodgers played his specific brand of football and was 24th in EPA per play among quarterbacks. Gainwell was a Rodgers favorite. He was fifth among running backs in targets and was second on the team in target share. Pierre and Samuel played well in small samples, ranking eighth and 10th in adjusted yards allowed per coverage snap among 138 corners with at least 100 coverage snaps on the season.
Positional needsWide receiver
Guard
Cornerback
The Steelers didn’t have much receiver depth behind DK Metcalf, and that was made even clearer when Metcalf was out. Metcalf had only a 19% target share, but that’s because Rodgers so often throws the check-down to running backs and tight ends. Only Brock Purdy threw a lower percentage of his passes to a wide receiver (41.5%) than Rodgers (42%). Whether Rodgers returns or not, receiver is a huge need.
With Isaac Seumalo set to be a free agent, the Steelers will need to look at guard. Mason McCormick has shown promise, but the 2024 fourth-round pick ranked 20th in blown block rate at right tackle, according to Sports Info Solutions.
Pittsburgh is set on one side of the defense with Joey Porter Jr., who had an All-Pro-caliber season. The Steelers rotated through a few options opposite Porter and found some success, but with Pierre and Samuel free agents, Pittsburgh could be in a similar spot again.
2026 NFL Draft picks1st round, pick No. 21
2nd round
3rd round (DAL)
3rd round
3rd round (projected compensatory)
4th round
4th round (projected compensatory)
5th round
6th round (projected compensatory)
6th round (projected compensatory)
7th round (NO)
7th round
Makai Lemon, WR, USC
The Steelers need another threat at wide receiver opposite DK Metcalf for whoever the quarterback is after this season. Lemon is a bit smaller (5-11, 195) but he’s really effective from the slot and over the middle, which would complement Metcalf’s outside ability nicely. Lemon also has good after-catch ability and is able to find soft spots in zone.
Betting nuggetSurprisingly, for a veteran team, the Steelers thrived this season in games with a rest disadvantage – going 4-1 against the spread. — Ben Fawkes
